Weather across the nation: 4/18/13

A strong winter storm brought more snow to the Upper Midwest and Northern Plains, while severe showers and thunderstorms moved into the East on Thursday.

Winter weather advisories remained in effect for the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest as a strong low pressure system continued moving into the Great Lakes from the Plains. This brought heavy snow into the Upper Midwest with widespread snowfall totals from 3 to 6 inches. Strong winds accompanied this system with wind gusts from 35 to 45 mph.

Meanwhile, a cold front extending southward from this system continues triggering showers and thunderstorms from the Great Lakes, through the Midwest, and down the Mississippi River Valley. As this system advanced eastward throughout the day, it pulled more moisture and energy in from the Gulf of Mexico, which allowed for severe showers and thunderstorms to develop along the cold front.

There was a moderate risk of severe thunderstorm development in these areas with threats of large hail and several tornadoes, with strong wind gusts over 60 mph already reported in many areas from southern Michigan through northern Texas.

Flood warnings and advisories have been issued across most of the Midwest as heavy rainfall along this front. Midday rainfall totals reached over 2 inches in many areas, while over 4 to 6 inches were reported in parts of Illinois.

ON THIS DATE....... While there is no such thing as "earthquake weather," weather can have a direct effect on the amount of damage sustained after an earthquake. For instance, on this date in 1906, a major 7.8 earthquake shook San Francisco, spawning major fires. Easterly winds blew these fires through the city as firefighters struggled to contain them. Most of the damage came from these fires.